Welsh Run

[Justino]

Had a great run out to Wales last weekend, unfortunately very wet on the Saturday, pity didn't have the same weather as this weekend. Did nearly 600 miles from the Midlands, through the Brecons and Snowdonia and back.

Went with a few pals in a 996 Turbo, 996 C4S Cab, 1985 911 Carrera 3.2, and a Clio 172 Cup. Very enjoyable, there is nothing to compare to the Z4M engine at 5k + rpm for the noise. The surprise of the weekend was the Clio Cup, easily a match for the higher powered cars on wet twisty roads.

Planning a few winter jobs, get the wheels refurbed and fresh rubber on (still running M3 Contis), rear discs and pads, install the Intravee that I've had in the cupboard for 2 years, replace the front bumper side clips as starting to gape, and new under windscreen scuttle cover as broke tabs removing to investigate wiper squeak. Fitted the ZHP gear knob before the trip which was a welcome improvement. I would really like the Aero skirts at some stage, and tie it in with a front bumper refresh.

I may also consider different brake pads, as the standard material was starting to fade on the some of the mountain runs, nothing too extreme, but something with less fade.

By the Sunday only 3 were left, the 911 Carrera whilst quick, was pretty hairy on the wet roads, so went home early, and the C4S PDK had decided to throw a fault and start making a whining noise, so went back on lowloader!

 

[Number5]

Some great roads up there. A few of us Bristolians have made it our annual spring trip.. Nice pictures too.
What were your favourite roads up there ?

 

[Justino]

Thanks, shame the camper van crashed the first photo.

The road on the back side of Bala was good fun, we did it on the way up, and back down on the Sunday. The Clio is a pals who lives in Bristol, he knows all the roads, and was the pace car (literally). Did the top side of the Evo triangle, which has some nice sweeping sections.

 

[Number5]

The roads out of Blaenau are excellent. Either the one to Betws-y-Coed or the back road out to Bala

 

[buzyg]

Great bunch of cars. Those Clio's are tenacious little bulldogs. Used to go out with one on PH runs. As soon as the road was wet and twisty it was all over my MR. Front wheel drive does feel more secure in the wet. :wink:

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Looks like a good way to spend a weekend. Out of interest, OP did you find the cause of the wiper squeak? Mine does it too and it's very annoying.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Looks like a good way to spend a weekend. Out of interest, OP did you find the cause of the wiper squeak? Mine does it too and it's very annoying.

Yes, it can be really annoying. I only fixed mine by putting a new blade on!

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I presume yours was a mechanical squeak Mr T, not old rubber on glass?! My squeak is from the mechanism somewhere, perhaps at the base of the arm. I never remember that I need to fix it except when I'm driving in the rain

 

[Mr Tidy]

I presume yours was a mechanical squeak Mr T, not old rubber on glass?! My squeak is from the mechanism somewhere, perhaps at the base of the arm. I never remember that I need to fix it except when I'm driving in the rain

Well I was convinced it was a mechanical squeak, but as a last resort I put a blade from my E46 on my Z4 and sure enough squeak fixed so I bought the Z4 new blades.

So it must have been rubber on glass although it didn't sound like that, and the blades were less than a year old, which is why I didn't originally think that was the problem!

Never mind, I got it fixed.

Good luck with yours.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Interesting, I might try that first then

 

[Justino]

I'm sure my squeak is mechanical, as you say somewhere at the base of the arm. Not got the scuttle cover fully off yet, so will leave this on the list of jobs to do. I was going to put some lube on the moving parts as a starter for 10.